2014 expected to be the year of Mets' revival

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Since Sandy Alderson took over as the New York Mets general manager after the 2010 season, 2014 was the year the team quietly pointed to for their return to glory. By 2014, the Mets knew all of the cumbersome contracts of their past -- Johan Santana, Jason Bay and others -- would be off the books, freeing them up to invest in healthy, productive free agents.

That process did unfold this winter, when the Mets shelled out $60 million for outfielder Curtis Granderson, $20 million for starting pitcher Bartolo Colon and another $7.25 million for slugger Chris Young. But the Mets did not increase their roughly $87-million payroll by any great margin, leaving questions as to how well they can compete against the behemoths of the National League East.

"We'd always like to have more players," Alderson said, "but that doesn't always make you a better team."

Instead, the Mets will rely on improved contributions from first baseman Ike Davis, shortstop Ruben Tejada and catcher Travis d'Arnaud, all of whom endured injuries and struggled when healthy in 2014. They will also lean on a rotation that includes Colon, left-hander Jon Niese, and right-handers Zack Wheeler and Dillon Gee, and by season's end should also include top prospect righty Noah Syndergaard.

The Mets hope that the defensive improvement they enjoyed when outfielder Eric Young, Jr. and Juan Lagares came aboard last season will continue into 2014. And they do have high hopes for the newcomers to their lineup, particularly given the potential of Granderson and Young to give their power-starved lineup some much-needed thump.

"Some of the acquisitions we made over the wintertime made us better," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "Our middle of the lineup is a completely different-looking scenario than it was a year ago. So that right there I think makes us better. I think we've made some good additions that are going to make us a better team."

Most of all, there is a sense of optimism around Port St. Lucie that the Mets have not felt in years. They believe they have what it takes to win, despite a mid-market payroll and lingering roster questions.

"It's not an overnight fix," captain David Wright said. "You can't rebuild an entire culture or team in one offseason. It's going to be up to the guys that have been there to do their part as well."

If you have any feedback or suggestions for our Editorial Team, please contact us at Editorial

Tthe Rangers' 19-29 home record represents the fewest home wins of ANY of MLB's 30 teams...

My free play is on the SF Giants at 3:05 ET.

Mike Leake (9-5, 3.56 ERA) was acquired by San Francisco on Thursday from Cincinnati for two prospects and makes his first start for the Giants on Sunday in Texas. "He's a quality starter who's going to help us," SF manager Bruce Bochy Bochy said. "He's excited about being here. He's been throwing the ball well, good athlete. That's a great move for us to give us some depth in the rotation." Leake steps into the rotation in place of the injured Tim Hudson (shoulder) and has allowed just two ERs on 15 hits in 30 innings (0.60 ERA) while winning four straight starts, completing the eighth in three. He did just that while limiting NL-leading St Louis to four hits in Tuesday's 4-0 road win.

Leake has to like the fact that his new team has won 14 of its past 17 contests to move 1 1/2 games back of the NL West-leading LA Dodgers. The Giants bounced back from Friday's 6-3 loss in the series opener by spoiling Cole Hamels' Rangers debut with a 9-7, 11-inning victory Saturday. The win makes San Francisco 15-8 (plus-$920) when facing a left-handed starter in 2015 and today San Francisco draws another lefty, in Texas' Martin Perez.

Perez (0-2, 10.50) gets a fourth chance at his first win since returning from Tommy John surgery. He surrendered a career high-tying eight runs before getting an out in the second inning and being pulled in Tuesday's 21-5 loss to the New York Yankees. He has now allowed 22 hits in 12 innings over three starts since returning from Tommy John elbow surgery, giving him a 10.50 ERA, 2.33 WHIP and opponents are batting a ridiculous .407 against him.

Throw in the fact that the Rangers' 19-29 home record represents the fewest home wins of ANY of MLB's 30 teams and the bet HAS to be on the Giants.

Activities offered by advertising links to other sites may be deemed an illegal activity in certain jurisdictions. Viewers are specifically warned that they should inquire into the legality of participating in any games and/or activities offered by such other sites. The owner of this website assumes no responsibility for the actions by and makes no representation or endorsement of any of these games and/or activities offered by the advertiser. As a condition of viewing this website viewers agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from the viewer’s participation in any of the games and/or activities offered by the advertiser.